Parents Beat Son To Death For Not Reading Bible

Last week in Las Vegas, Nevada, a 7-year-old boy was beaten to death for not reading the Bible. The dead boy’s mother and stepfather appeared in court on Tuesday, Dec. 4. Both have been charged in the death of their son.

Dina Palmer, 27, and Markiece Palmer, 34, were charged with murder, child abuse and neglect following the death of 7-year-old Roderick Arrington Jr., also known as R.J. Reports indicate the child’s death was the result of severe beatings delivered as punishment for failing to read the Bible and do his homework.

Police say Markiece Palmer, the boy’s stepfather, admitted that he beat Roderick with numerous household items, including a belt, a spatula and a wooden paddle, as well as with his hands. Dina Palmer, the boy’s mother, initially denied involvement in the beatings, but has subsequently confessed to participating in the abuse.

 A doctor at the hospital reported that the boy suffered from stokes and fixed pupils as well as severe bruises on his arms, abdomen, back, legs and buttocks. "The buttocks had fresh opened wounds that appeared to be from being whipped," the report said. The badly beaten boy underwent surgery but died at UMC on Friday. 

According to reports, Dina Palmer’s Facebook page portrays a very different image of the parents, one of loving, devout Christians; for example, one post reads: “Lord please guide my steps… I’m trying 2 do better,” and another reads “I wanna do better 4 my son, my family, myself, 4 you LORD!”